2009 Version
Bottom View

FUTURE
IMAGE

2007 Version
with Photshop Filter

2004 Version
Annotated View 2

2002 Version
Action Scene 2

CONCEPT FOR DEEP SPACE EXPLORER INSPIRATION

Deep Space Explorer Inspiration is the flagship for the Deep Space Exploration Group, a space fleet more akin to the United States Coast Guard than the United States Navy. The Inspiration is set in a fictional era a many centuries from the present. That fictional era is somewhat like that portrayed in the Star Trek: The Next Generation TV series from the 1980's-1990's but differs in that is has much fewer star-faring sentient species and has more peaceful interstellar relations. While equally capable of exploration, defense, and search and rescue missions, Inspiration class Deep Space Explorers spend most of their time serving on long-term exploration assignments.  As such, they have extensive living accommodations for the families of Deep Space Exploration Group personnel as well as visiting scientists.

The Inspiration class are the largest Deep Space Explorers currently in service. Nine of them have been built: Colossus, Commonwealth, Ekumen, Fasciniation, Federation, Gargantuan, Leviathan, Imagination and Inspiration. Inspiration class Deep Space Explorers are unusual in that they can separate into two smaller vessels in emergency situations. They normally carry two Alavian class Deep Space Scouts to assist in their long-range, long-term exploration missions.

COMMENTARY

The design for the Deep Space Explorer Inspiration is based on a Star Trek inspired ship I did as a teenager around the time of Star Trek: The Motion Picture. It is meant to reflect the optimistic, non-military-oriented view of the Star Trek universe depicted in the first couple seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Deep Space Explorer Inspiration is a decedant of Deep Space Explorer Aquarius with both designs existing in the same fictional universe. The conceptual inspiration for Deep Space Explorer Inspiration is the Galaxy class USS Enterprise from Star Trek: The Next Generation. I see both vessels as romanticized versions of future human starships. These two starships share a number of features: 1) the ability to separate into two smaller vessels, 2) shielding systems that allow them to closely approach high energy insterstellar phenomena, and 3) teleportation systems capable of transferring lifeforms from one locatation to another. Deep Space Explorer Inspiration symbolizes my conviction that humanity has a glorious future ahead of it, a future that perhaps even involves interstellar space exploration.

OTHER DEEP SPACE EXPORATION GROUP GALLERIES

Deep Space Exploration Group Gallery

Deep Space Base Depths of Dream Gallery

DIGITAL RESOURCES

Modeling - Rhino 4 and TrueSpace 6.6
Rendering - Flamingo 2 and TrueSpace 6.6
Textures - Flamingo 2, Marlin's Studios Amazing SF Textures, Infinite Fish website
Backgrounds - Universe Image Creator and Hubble Space Telescope website
Running Lights - Universe Image Creator
Miscellaneous - CorelDRAW, Corel Photo-Paint and Adobe Photoshop

PRIMARY DESIGN INFLUENCES

1. Spacecraft Discovery of the science fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey

2. Miscellaneous Federation starship designs of Star Trek.